Away for the High Holidays

Celebrate with a New Community

Generally, our kids get to come home for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but for those who celebrate the upcoming Jewish High Holidays, it may be your first one without your students at your holiday table. While it may feel strange having that empty seat, it can feel better to know that they are celebrating the holidays with a new community of their peers. There are options for Jewish students at FAU. You may want to let them know they exist and then hope that they will choose to participate.

Time Off

Not all colleges give days off for every holiday and it doesn’t look like FAU is any different. Students can certainly inform their professors, in advance, of their absence for the holiday, but chances are class will go on and they will be responsible for any work. Even if they do get a day or two off, it is not always enough time to travel back home. This is another reason it is nice to know that there is a place for students to go even if just for a festive meal. There are services too; there are even sukkahs on Sukkot.

Yom Kippur, the holiday when people can repent for their sins and fast can be difficult at school, particularly since it falls right in the middle of a busy week this year. However, depending on your family beliefs, sticking to family tradition is possible.

The Jewish Community

Students can enjoy and celebrate the holidays with their on-campus community. The FAU Hillel will hold Rosh Hashanah services in the Hillel Jewish Life Center (located on the breezeway) on the first day of Rosh Hashanah. For those students wanting to attend the second day, they can attend at a local synagogue. Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur services will also be held in the Hillel Jewish Life Center. The Hillel Jewish Life Center is known for their welcoming nature so this may be a great option for students celebrating away from home for the first time.

The Chabad Student Center of FAU offers much of the same options as the Hillel. Chabad offers evening services for Yom Kippur, However, I hear their services can be a little longer. There will also be a break the fast meal offered through Chabad. Either way, it is good to know there is a welcoming Jewish community for our students when they have to be away for the holidays where they can indulge in the customary prayers for a “sweet New Year” on the High Holidays and participate in traditions like dipping an apple in honey to symbolize this request for the year to come or breaking the fast. Some may feel the Chabad is far more religious than they are accustomed to, but students have said that they are welcoming regardless.

Send a Care Package

I tried to send a challah, honey, and a few other goodies one year and although UPS in Florida from one city to another is merely overnight, it cost much more to ship than to purchase. There are delivery services that can bring your student a treat of your choice though. Check out our blog on delivery services here. Or consider ordering a prepared care package. Somehow sending a care package as a gentle reminder of the holiday may push them towards the Hillel or Chabad a bit faster.

While in college, away from familial control, it will be extremely difficult to follow the fasting rule or go to synagogue at all. However, as they begin their new and independent lives, this too is part of the learning process. Just remember, even if they choose to skip what is the norm for your family while away at school, this doesn’t necessarily mean they are abandoning all that you taught them throughout their childhood.